Stateless border people granted Thai citizenship

The court ruled that an order to deny citizenship to 351 stateless persons in Mae Sot and Mae Ramat districts in Tak province was illegal, because they were displaced Thais and must be recognised in household registrations. 
The original order was issued by the committee in charge of certifying the status of displaced Thais. 
Paksoranee Lapaeng, the vice chair of the Displaced Thais in Tak Network, said yesterday that the stateless people were overjoyed that authorities did not appeal against the court ruling. 
“My network will soon help these stateless persons apply for Thai nationality in line with prescribed procedures,” she said. 
Surapong Kongchantuk, who heads the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s committee on displaced Thais, said he was informed by the Supreme Administrative Court that the committee, the permanent secretary for Interior, the Minister of the Interior and the director-general of the Provincial Administration Department had not lodged appeals. 
“This means the 351 persons who have petitioned to the Central Administrative Court and got a favourable ruling will be able to get Thai national identification cards,” he said. 
According to Surapong, the Provincial Administration Department is now in the process of preparing to comply with the court verdict and the plaintiffs should get their national identification cards early next month. 
“This case is going to set a precedent,” Surapong said. “It will give hope to thousands of displaced Thais and their children in the border province of Tak.”